Dexcom G6 CGM 6 Week Follow-Up Review

Allison Caggia and I recently reviewed the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and now that it’s been more than a few weeks, I’d like to follow-up with some more thoughts and observations. We all know that it’s easy to love something for a few days only to have it turn sour after a month.

I’m the “rookie” from that first review because, before this trial, I had never used a CGM. The excitement for a new user is probably greater than for those who are accustomed to the magic of seeing your blood sugar levels, constantly, and all day without finger sticks. For users of CGM, this review may serve to answer some questions I’ve been getting over the past few weeks about accuracy.

Accuracy and Reliability

Technically, with the G6 which is FDA approved to be used to make treatment decisions without fingerstick testing, I could have enjoyed a nice break from finger sticks, but I didn’t for the sake of checking the accuracy of the G6.

It is important to note that I didn’t place the G6 in any unapproved locations (like the well-loved back of the arm) because then I wouldn’t be able to reliably speak to the accuracy of the device.

I checked my blood sugar about 8-10 times per day for six weeks and was surprised to find that only a few blood sugar checks were up to 32 points off. Notably, those checks all happened to be my higher blood sugars, and as blood sugars go up, blood glucose meters become less accurate. Thus, I don’t have any qualms about the accuracy, in fact, after this experience, I would feel comfortable about giving insulin without first checking with my meter. That said, I never give much insulin at once, and if I did, I’d be more cautious.

I only experienced three instances of short duration during which the sensor couldn’t communicate with the transmitter, or the transmitter couldn’t communicate with the receiver (I’m not sure which occurs), and I didn’t get any data. Each time this happened it resolved itself after 5-20 minutes, so my day went smoothly nevertheless.

Comfort and Wear

The sensor is very comfortable. I never felt pain or discomfort attaching it or removing it or during the 10-day wear. I did have one slip off on day nine during a week of hot, muggy weather and a lot of time outside. I think investing in some additional tape is a great idea. I was so sad when I lost a day of wear. It’s important to wipe and dry the area where you’ll put the sensor very well.

A few teenagers and young adults asked me about how hidden the CGM was under my clothing. My reply is “quite hidden.” I put the sensor on my abdomen and didn’t notice it under my clothes. My daily uniform is jeans and a tucked in blouse, so I don’t know about tight dresses, but I imagine that a good bodysuit would make that kind of outfit work pretty well for those wanting to be as discreet as possible.

I would like to mention that despite reports that the sensor’s auto shut off at ten days can be bypassed, I never managed it.

An Invaluable Tool

For those of you who have never used a CGM, I think this is an incredibly empowering device. I was told the insulin pump was “a must” many years ago and I tried it for seven years and I realized that a pump was an improvement for the individual. If you use it properly, you may or may not do better with it; it depends on what you value as an individual. I have used multiple daily injections (MDI) for a long time because they work very well for me and I feel more free and safe relying on shots. A CGM however, has absolute potential, when used properly, to help you better manage your blood sugars and stay safe with type 1 diabetes. It is, as they say, a game-changer. I haven’t tried anything other than the Dexcom G6, but I can say this thing is amazing and provides the greatest improvement in quality-of-life for a person with type 1 diabetes since the personal glucose meter.

Those who have critiques about the G6 generally use a CGM, and wouldn’t go without one. They are speaking, I think, from a place of already valuing the thing they are criticizing–which I think is great because that’s how these devices will improve! Since I have no experience with another CGM with which to compare the G6 and it works as advertised, I can’t complain about anything other than the price. I know that on that issue I will simply have to be patient.

Sysy Morales is a staff writer and editor at Diabetes Daily and has lived with type 1 diabetes for 24 years. She has led dozens of diabetes education and motivational programs across the country and is a graduate of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Sysy started blogging about diabetes at The Girls Guide to Diabetes after the birth of her twins to share how she maintained recommended A1C levels during that time. What she has learned about diabetes dramatically improved her life and she is now obsessed with sharing information that may help other people with diabetes thrive, too. At the end of 2018, her daughter was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.